The Independent News Source

Maggie Smith

"Super Bowl or 'Downton'?" I asked my neighbor as she walked her dog last night. "We switched back and forth," she replied. Me? The game was so lopsided by the time "Downton Abbey" came on, I abandoned the 21st century for the Roaring '20s for the entire hour and, apparently, I did not miss much.

In the run-up to the premiere of season four of the international hit drama "Downton Abbey" on Sunday, Jan. 5, PBS is airing a special that recaps the first three seasons and previews the new one. Get ready to experience the Roaring '20s. Without fundraising breaks, this preview lasts about an hour. I have a feeling this preshow will be used as a PBS fundraiser again (as they did last year) and will wander into the 90-minute/two-hour zone, so you might want to set your DVRs.